INSCRIBED BY MARTIN LUTHER KING, SR.

KING, Martin Luther, Sr. Daddy King. New York: William Morrow, 1980. Octavo, original half russet cloth, original dust jacket. $3200.

First edition of the elder King's autobiography, describing his life in the pulpit and the civil rights movement and loss of both his son and his wife to assassin's bullets, inscribed by him "John Hope II, may God bless you. M.L. King Sr."

"This book is a must for those who seek to understand the source of the inspirations of the civil-rights movement as well as the unique courage which resides in the hearts and souls of black Americans" (Benjamin Hooks). The recipient of this copy, John Hope II, was a noted civil rights advocate; his father was renowned civil rights activist John Hope, President of Morehouse College from 1909-36. In this biography King describes an encounter with the elder hope when King was hoping to enroll at Morehouse but denied entry due to low test scores. King boldly decided to make his case directly to Hope himself in the president's office, an intimidating encounter that nonetheless earned King entrance to Morehouse, where he eventually earned a degree in Theology in 1931.

Minor toning and wear to dust jacket spine. Near-fine condition.